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Reviews 1 - 5 (13 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
jfds56
a AudioPhileDate Reviewed: April 11, 2012
Bottom Line: Recently purchased this great power amp (used) to replace Audiolab 8000P and the difference in sound quality is astonishing. It has brought my ATC SCM7's to life and added delicacy to obvious huge power reserves, never sounding forced or stained. Dynamics, treble quality, midrange, bass - all to die for. It is built like a tank and is aesthetically pleasing to look at. The closest l have ever had to this sound quality, surprisingly, was a bridged pair of NAD 2150's. The Meridian, however, gives the impression it is always working well within its capacity. l will be holding on to it for many years to come. One minor irritation is that the toroidal transformer is noisy (varying audible buzz), however, given that at the speakers it is one of the quietest power amps l have heard, l am willing to forgive this irritation.
System:
Audiolab 8000Q
Meridian 557
Arcam CD72T
Thorens TD160S, grace 727, ortofon MC20 supreme
Graham Slee Fanfare 3 MC preamp
ATC SCM 7's
B&W ASW300 subwoofer
QED speaker cables
Van Den Hul interconnects (the First, DH102 III)
Used product for: 1 to 3 months
Duration Product Used: AudioPhile
Product model year: 2001
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
king of punk
a Audio EnthusiastDate Reviewed: September 4, 2007
Bottom Line: I purchased the Meridian 557 in 1998 which replaced an Audiolab 8000 that blew up!
I have never regretted it. This beast can handle ALL TYPES OF MUSIC!! . From Kate Bush Kick Inside to Ace of Spades Motorhead . It can do gentle. It can do nasty. It will not break up when playing the craziest of music & laughs at the 1812 Overture & Who Live at Leeds!!!
Over the years I have assembled an all 500 series Meridian system. Including B&W 703 speakers & chord cable throughout. Its not cheap & I'm not rich but if your a real music fan , not some audiophile fool that has a high end system & 12 records , then go for a 557. It will power any domestic hi-fi speaker easily. It is built like a tank & destroys the competition like one!!!!!!!!!
Used product for: More than 1 year
Duration Product Used: Audio Enthusiast
Product model year: 1998
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Submitted by
Johnsen
a AudioPhileDate Reviewed: January 6, 2003
Bottom Line: Started hard clipping into my Infinity Kappa 9.2i speakers when I turned up the volume. It must really have trouble delivering high current into a low impedance. My speakers are 4 ohm nominal with dips below 1 ohm, so they can be tough. But I have tried ten other amps and newer experienced this problem.
The amp sounded good at lower speaker levels, but this realy scared me and I did not test it for very long after discovering this problem
Used product for: Less than 1 month
Duration Product Used: AudioPhile
Product model year: 1998
Purchased At: -
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Submitted by
airdon
a Audio EnthusiastDate Reviewed: November 16, 2002
Bottom Line: Meridian 557 delivers great power and control of my PMC LB-1 speaker. It sounds so right with much details and fast bass. Maybe bass is not very strong and the tone is not very beautiful. As all good solid-state power-amp, it brings everything right. Drive the speaker with uncolored signal. Kick the speaker to work hard. You can hear very clean sound with good CD-player and pre-amp. I know 557 is not designed to be a best quality high-end amp. But it sounds as good as all high-end amp in most cases. Personally, I like it's elegant look very much.
Used product for: 3 Months to 1 year
Duration Product Used: Audio Enthusiast
Product model year: 2000
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Submitted by
Jules99
a AudioPhileDate Reviewed: October 28, 2002
Bottom Line: Hi, I found a great modifier of this Meridian amp. Steve Huntely from Great Northern Sound is one of the best modifiers out there. Steve Modified by Meridian 557 Amp and after the upgrade this amp is as good as any Amp I'v heard. He used to work for Audio Research, Wadia and CAl. He mods Dacs, CD Players, Transports Amps, Preamps, you name it. http://www.greatnorthernsound.com/home.htm
Here's the upgrade he did for my 557 amp.
4 sets of Cardas Copper CCBP Binding posts
Rewired supply wiring with Cardas 11.5 gauge high purity copper wire.
4 larger/better Nichicon Great Supply 10,000 uf 80v power supply filter caps for the main high voltage supply.
Added appropriate MIT power supply bypass caps across filter caps.
Bybee noise reduction on main supply lines.
High quality high speed rectification devices.
Upgraded the 4 main signal coupling caps to the new Cardas/RTI type coupling caps.
Fine tuned sonics with appropriate bypasses.
Upgrade costs: $1,200.00.
Used product for: More than 1 year
Duration Product Used: AudioPhile
Product model year: 1998
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